Inside London's first LGBTQ+ retirement community

We take a look at the first LGBTQ retirement community in London to discover what it’s all about.

This article will give you information about:

• Why some LGBTQ+ people want dedicated housing provision
• London’s first LGBTQ+ retirement community
• International LGBTQ+ retirement living locations
• The future of diverse retirement living in the UK

The UK senior LGBTQ+ community

Over recent years, various charities and organisations have completed research to explore the feelings, views and treatment of over 65s who identify as LGBTQ+. Along with this data, we’re able to get an approximate idea of how many people identify as LGBTQ+ and how they feel about living in Britain today.

According to 2020 statistics from Age UK, there’s an estimated one million LGB people who are over 55 in the UK. In addition, this figure has grown over the past three years to increase the number of LGB people further. The statistics on the entire LGBTQ+ UK population have not yet been accurately verified.

The 2018 National LGBT Survey by The Government Equalities Office revealed how many LGBT people view being open about their identity and sexual orientation. This report reflected the fact that 70% of LGBT people surveyed didn’t feel confident about being open on these subjects in public or even with people they knew for fear of a negative reaction.

In fact, the BBC reported that hate crimes targeting transgender people and aggression towards someone’s sexual orientation have risen quite dramatically during the period 2021-2022. This data is across all age groups.

Exploring these issues further, this Sky News clip explains how LGBTQ+ people feel when faced with the statistics that show growing incidents of hate crime towards people from this community.

It’s not difficult to understand that, in light of these statistics, why LGBTQ+ people may want to spend their later years in a community that’s organised and run by a specific LGBTQ+ provider.

In fact, research carried out by Opening Doors, the UK’s largest charity providing support for LGBTQ+ people, reveals that 56% of respondents who were over 65 and living in London would prefer to live in LGBTQ+ focussed communities.

There are, of course, many factors that influence people’s decisions about where they live as they get older. Included in the Opening Doors research, some respondents reported that one of the factors in their decision-making was the desire for support from like-minded people, while others cited enjoying the sense of inclusion that specific LGBTQ+ community living can provide.

You can read more about this in our previous article about LGBTQ+ retirement living.

The fact that the first LGBTQ+ retirement community has opened in London could demonstrate a move towards more diverse senior living options in the UK.

Inside London’s first LGBTQ+ retirement community

The first of its kind in the UK, London now has its very own LGBT+ affirming retirement community, with Tonic Housing opening Tonic@Bankhouse in 2021. This location has 84 apartments, 59 for affordable rent and 25 for shared ownership, over 14 floors on Albert Embankment in Vauxhall.

The driving force behind the creation of this landmark community was the desire to not just be ‘LGBTQ+ friendly’, but to really affirm the lives, histories and living requirements for LGBTQ+ people.

Tonic Housing emphasise that their approach is not a ‘one size fits all’ attitude, rather that they want to be fully inclusive and embrace diverse communities.

As Tonic Housing itself expresses, this is a ‘major milestone’ in LGBT+ housing provision. Described as a national first, the whole project is explicitly tailored to affirm the needs and choices of LGBT+ residents. 

Key information that may be useful for potential residents is that on site there’s a spa room, bike storage and a launderette, plus an overnight guests’ suite for visitors and guest parking.

To assure that there’s full inclusion, all areas are accessible for wheelchair users. Bankhouse has 24-hour on-site staff and optional care packages available, for those who may need this now or might want this type of support in the future.

In this video for Tonic@Bankhouse, residents express their feelings at living within the community and how they think it enriches their lives.

One of the prime advantages for the people who live there is the distinctive building in a central location. Designed by Norman Foster, one of Britain’s leading architects, the structure is amplified by balconies, a roof terrace and panoramic views across the Thames river.

Seniors often explain that they would like to stay living in retirement accommodation that is located close to where they lived for the majority of their lives. Some report that this enables them to feel at home more quickly and to see family or friends more easily.

As such, the central London location gives London and South-East members of the LGBT+ community a rare opportunity to spend their later years in a location that suits their needs. With access not only to the leisure facilities in the community, but all of London’s attractions, Tonic@Bankhouse is able to deliver plenty of social variety for residents.

It's interesting to consider how we fare against other countries in terms of the LGBTQ+ retirement provision we offer and what the next steps might be for organisations planning to develop more of these communities.

Are there international LGBTQ+ retirement communities?

It seems that the rest of the world might be ahead of us here in the UK when it comes to the development of diverse retirement living provision.

In the US, there are many LGBT retirement developments on offer all around the country. Fountaingrove Lodge in California is an independent community and assisted living facility for LGBT seniors with plenty of luxurious amenities on site. This video shows what’s available at this facility.

Then there’s also SAGE, a national LGBTQ+ housing initiative, providing housing communities all across America for LGBTQ+ seniors.

Across Europe, there are a variety of specific LGBTQ+ retirement living options, some in cities and others in more rural locations. In Sweden, Europe’s oldest LGBTQ+ retirement living community, Regnbagen, opened in 2013. It has 27 apartments located in Stockholm, with access to hairdressing and leisure amenities, plus a leafy roof terrace.

And in France, the Villages Group have opened a relatively new retirement living complex in Languedoc which features eco-friendly homes with a host of attractive options, such as a swimming pool and leisure centre.

The future of diverse UK retirement communities

Tonic@Bankhouse may be the first dedicated LGBT+ retirement community in Britain, but other organisations have made plans and commitments to developing additional facilities that cater for LGBTQ+ seniors.

Anchor Hanover already manage New Larchwood, a retirement housing scheme in Brighton that’s LGBT+ inclusive. In addition, Anchor Hanover are in the process of creating a purpose-built 100 apartment housing scheme in Whalley Range, Manchester for LGBT+ over 55s.

The scheme will feature both affordable rent and shared ownership tenures to help support Manchester people to invest or live in the new location. This scheme will be part of Anchor Hanover’s Extra Care provision, which delivers on-site services, such as catering, with the potential for care support if required.

In alliance with Manchester Council and other local community groups, Anchor Hanover plan to finalise and open the scheme in the next few years. The data suggests that Manchester’s LGBTQ+ senior population is thought to be approximately 7,000 people, with numbers growing every year.

In response, Manchester Council have implied that they are looking to accredit further communities and schemes as LGBTQ+ affirming locations so that more people within this group have later life housing options that suit their needs.

How do I find a retirement community near me?

Growing numbers of people are using Autumna's online directory to discover their best options for later life.

If you need some help looking for a retirement community that suits you, why not complete this short form? The Autumna advice line team will then send you a shortlist of those retirement communities, in your search area, that can help.

If you'd prefer to speak to us, call our Advice Line on 01892 335 330. The line is open seven days a week. (8:30am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am - 5pm Sat, 10am - 4pm Sun).

Alternatively email us here: info@autumna.co.uk